God’s Code

Five days later, Liang Yingwu returned the crystal ball to me. The analysis report, as relayed by him, was disappointing. The molecular structure of the crystal ball was compressed by an unimaginable force from the outside in, each layer denser than the last. This structural density change also altered the refractive index of the crystal ball, causing concentric light patterns under strong illumination. Farewell to Zhang Ming (6) The width of each layer varied from centimeters on the outer layers to millimeters and then microns in the inner layers. The density of the inner layers was greater than the outer ones, but not exponentially so; otherwise, the crystal ball would have been unimaginably heavy. “So, aside from knowing its structural state, you’ve learned nothing about the function of this crystal ball?”
“You’re wrong about that,” Liang Yingwu said. “Oh?” I felt a surge of hope and eagerly waited for Liang Yingwu to continue, but instead, he hit me with a bombshell. “We haven’t fully figured out its structure.” “But you just said…” “Do you know what the scale of the second-to-last layer from the center is?” “Nanometers?” I guessed. Liang Yingwu had mentioned millimeters and micrometers, so I figured the next layer would be even smaller. “It’s at the molecular level.” “How is that possible? Molecules are in constant motion; how could they be fixed in place?” “The movement of molecules in solid metals is inherently very weak, and the molecules at the very center of this crystal ball are confined to an extremely low frequency and range of activity through means we don’t understand, creating a very stable state.” I nodded, then asked, “If the second-to-last layer is so tiny, what’s the last layer like?” “At the center of the second-to-last layer, there’s just one molecule. And this molecule has a slightly higher density than the molecules surrounding it.” I looked at the crystal ball in my hand, amazed by its intricate structure. “But isn’t that close enough to understanding its structure?” “Since the structure of this crystal ball is precise down to the molecular level, the craftsmanship far exceeds current human technology. We have no reason to believe it stops at the molecular level.” “Are you suggesting that there might be changes even at the atomic or subatomic level of the central molecule?” “The structure of the crystal ball, with its density increasing from the outside in, greatly affects our observations, preventing us from examining the center at the atomic level. That’s why I say we haven’t fully figured it out.” I sighed, realizing that understanding even its structure was beyond our grasp, let alone unlocking the divine code with its help. When I called Zhang Ming, I felt somewhat embarrassed; Earth’s technological civilization had just embarrassed itself. He didn’t mind, thanking me repeatedly for agreeing to send the crystal ball back for him to study. I subtly conveyed the desire of the X institution to get in touch with him. Zhang Ming was cautious in his response but did not outright refuse. Having passed on the message, how Liang Yingwu would communicate with him was no longer my concern.